Morning journal and courier., 1887-12-13
HARPER GETS TEN YEARS.
Hank WrecLSar XXas senranced.

Scenes i'm Court When the Cincinnati
 Bank Wrecker Was Sentenced.
 CINCINNATI, Dec. 12.-Harper, the banker, was found guilty to-day and sentenced to ten years in the Ohio penitentiary. The greatest crowd yet gathered in the corridors of the United States court room assembled this morning long before the time for the as- sembly of the court. It was simply impossi- ble for the ladies to get in at the public door, and only those who had friends to show them the private entrance could reach the court room. At ten o'clock court was opened, and seven minutes later the jury filed in. Judge Sage asked that the defendant be brought in, and in two minutes Marshal Urner entered, followed by MT. Harper, looking pale and concerned. Behind him came his wife, her face study. It looked as if she was up- borne by faith that in some way she was to hear good news from that jury. Miss Matthews, her sister, followed as calmly as she could. When they were seated, the clerk took the sealed envelope enclosing the sentence, tore it open, and read the words: eve the jury find the defendant guilty as charged in the indictment" This means guilty of all the thirty-three counts left for the jury to act upon. There was no outery from either of the two women. Mrs. Harper sat as if trans6xed, but Miss Matthews found relief in tears. MT. Blackburn moved an arrest of judgment, which the court instantly overruled Then District Attorney Burnet moved for immedi- ate sentence and that the sentence be cumu- 1ative. Judge Sage overruled the motion, and asked if the defendant had anything to say before sentence was pronounced upon him. MT. Blackburn arose and said that the defendant wished to speak through him and to say that he had nothing to add to what had been said, except to thank the court for it's fair and impartial treatment, and to ask that the court be as merciful as the circum- stances and the law would permit.
 At 10:25 the court directed Harper to stand up. It was most distressing scene. The strong man stood erect, with tears coursing down his cheek and blanched face. Behind his chair, with bowed head, sat his wife wringing her hands. The court with i'm pressive solemnity recited the usual form of sentence, saying the evidence left TO doubt of the defendants guilt, and that the offence merited the highest penalty of the law, which the court would now impose-ten years in the Ohio penitentiary-and that the marshal convey him thither at once. MT. Harper sat down, turning to his wife, who kissed him. Men all over the court room were in tears. The silence was broken by Mir. Blackburn requesting that the order for immediate Imprisonment be suspended. He gave reason that there was much busi- ness to be attended to by MT. Harper in which his wife was closely concerned, and it would be exceedingly difficult to attend to it unless MT. Harper could remain here for few days. But the court was relentless. Judge Sage said there could be opportunity for his wife to see hina in Columbus, and he repeated the order to the marshal to convey him thither to-day. At 10:30 the jury was discharged and Marshal Urner conducted the defendant to the marshal's office. Harper was taken to the penitentiary at Columbus this after- noon.